Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A new project created by the French startup "Carmat" will help people with heart failure.

The French-made artificial heart mimics the functions of a real heart and consists of a prosthesis, batteries and a remote control. The prosthesis itself has four biological valves, two ventricles, two micropumps and injected sensors that facilitate blood flow.

The company believes that this device can provide long-term support and can be used before heart transplant surgery. Carmat CEO Stefan Pia said at least 2,000 patients in five European countries (France, Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain) were waiting in line for a heart transplant. The company notes that in the case of heart failure, the probability of survival is less than 50% in a year. More than 26 million people worldwide suffer from this disease, and only 5,500 patients undergo heart transplantation each year.

The new technology will be available primarily to residents of Germany and France. The device will be sold under the “Aeson” brand. 55% of heart failure patients live in these countries.

In March 2020, “Carmat” announced the results of a patient who received an artificial heart and was monitored for two years, and said the experiment was a success. France has allocated $ 15.7 million to the startup for clinical trials in the second quarter of 2021.

Shares of “Carmat” rose about 66 percent after the device went on sale, with a market capitalization of $ 496 million, according to “Bloomberg”.

Sales are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021.

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